US President Joe Biden and Western allies gather for NATO talks aimed at ramping up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It comes as a senior US defence official says Russian ground forces appear to be digging in and setting up defensive positions about 20 kilometres outside Kyiv.
Look back at all of Thursday's updates as they happened on our live blog.
Key events
- Ukraine's Navy says it has destroyed a Russian landing ship
- 'Unhelpful step': US says Russia is expelling more diplomats
- UK Defence Ministry says Ukrainian forces have probably retaken several towns around Kyiv
- Russian forces are no longer trying to advance into Kyiv, US says
- Zelenskyy calls for worldwide protest today as war marks grim one month milestone
- Concerns for the 'new Mariupol' near Kyiv
- US has formally declared Russians committed war crimes in Ukraine
- Here's yesterday's blog
- NATO says estimated troop losses for Russia could be as high as 15,000
Live updates
By Kate Ainsworth
That's all for the blog today
Thanks for reading throughout the day.
NATO is about to hold an emergency summit in Brussels aimed at ramping up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
You can stay up to date with the latest news online or on the ABC News app.
By Kate Ainsworth
Russia may target American infrastructure to retaliate against sanctions: US cyber security official
Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor in the Biden Administration, was in Australia this week as part of Quad partnership meetings with Australian officials.
In a roundtable with journalists in Sydney earlier today, Ms Neuberger said Russia's "naked aggression" in Ukraine was discussed with local cyber security counterparts.
"A part of that work, of course, has been looking at how do we support Ukraine to counter malicious cyber activity, among the other security assistance that we're providing," she said.
This work has included publicly attributing destructive cyber activity to Russia. In late February, The Australian, US and UK governments issued statements attributing the cyber attacks against the Ukrainian banking sector to the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
On Monday, US time, the White House released a statement by President Biden warning the Russian government is "exploring options" for potential cyber attacks in the US.
Ms Neuberger said the administration raised the warning to a higher level due to "evolving intelligence" about Russian intentions to potentially target US critical infrastructure.
Critical infrastructure typically includes facilities such as gas pipelines, the electricity grid and financial systems.
"If there are any disruptive attack[s] against critical infrastructure, we will respond," she said.
Ms Neuberger stopped short of giving a similar warning about Russian intentions concerning Australian critical infrastructure.
But she emphasised it was vital for the private sector in countries like Australia to shore up their defences.
"To get companies to, as we say, lock their digital doors and do the steps they take to make them far harder targets for an adversary," she said.
Reporting by Ariel Bogle
By Kate Ainsworth
Heads of state arrive at NATO headquarters
World leaders have begun arriving at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting is set to begin in around an hour's time.
By Kate Ainsworth
87 residential buildings damaged in Kyiv since invasion began
According to Kyiv City State Administration on Telegram, 87 residential buildings have been destroyed by Russian forces since its invasion of the country began a month ago.
Authorities say 12 schools, 10 private estates and six kindergartens in the city have also been damaged since the invasion started.
Kyiv's local government says the city was "relatively calm" overnight.
By Kate Ainsworth
Russia has no interest in ceasefire negotiations, EU diplomat says
"Right now, Russia doesn't want to sit and negotiate anything: what it wants is to occupy the ground," Josep Borrell said in an interview with Spanish channel TVE.
"It wants to surround the coast to the border with Moldova and isolate Ukraine from the sea. It wants to negotiate in earnest only when it has secured a position of strength."
The European Union and its allies will keep delivering military aid to the Ukrainian army, Mr Borrell said.
"It is important because everything will be decided in the next 15 days," he said.
"What will make history is the capacity of Ukrainians to resist."
By Kate Ainsworth
In pictures: Ukrainian refugees find safety in Poland
More than 2.14 million Ukrainians have arrived in Poland since Russia's invasion began, according to the UN's refugee agency.
Reuters has captured the first moments of those Ukrainians who have just crossed the Polish border.
By Kate Ainsworth
Seven humanitarian corridors to open in Ukraine but no safe passage from Mariupol
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk says an agreement has been reached to establish seven humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from Ukrainian towns and cities on Thursday, local time.
Ms Vereshchuk said civilians trying to leave besieged Mariupol would find transport at nearby Berdyansk, and added that Russia was not allowing a safe corridor to be created to or from the centre of the southern port city.
Ukrainian authorities estimate around 100,000 civilians remain in Mariupol.
By Nicholas McElroy
Turkey urges more Ukraine ceasefire efforts ahead of NATO meeting
Turkey has called for ramped up efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine and vowed to continue its "mediation and facilitation" work between Moscow and Kyiv, ahead of a NATO summit where leaders will discuss Russia's invasion.
NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia and has good ties with both.
While supporting Ukraine and criticising Russia, Ankara has also opposed sanctions on Moscow and launched mediation efforts.
Although Moscow says its operation is going to plan, Russian forces have not captured a major Ukrainian city after a month of fighting.
After a nearly four-hour meeting in Ankara chaired by President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) said the country would continue to fulfil its responsibilities for regional peace.
"It was noted that the efforts to halt attacks and achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and to solve problems between the two countries by taking into consideration Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in a lasting manner need to be ramped up," the MGK said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Turkey hosted the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers for the first high-level talks since the war, and wants to bring together Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
While forging close ties with Russia in defence, energy and trade, and relying heavily on Russian tourists, Ankara has also sold drones to Ukraine, angering Moscow.
It also opposes Russian policies in Syria and Libya, as well as its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The Associated Press
By Nicholas McElroy
Ukraine's Navy says it has destroyed a Russian landing ship
Ukraine’s navy on Thursday reported destroying Russia’s large landing ship, Orsk, near the port city of Berdyansk.
The Russian military has not commented on what happened to the ship.
Berdyansk has been under Russian control since February 27.
The Associated Press
By Nicholas McElroy
What's on the agenda for today's NATO meeting
ABC Europe bureau chief Steve Cannane is on the ground at NATO HQ in Brussels as Joe Biden meets with alliance members for urgent talks on Ukraine.
He told PM's Nick Grimm that talks are likely to lead to fresh sanctions against Moscow, as well as more military aid to Ukraine.
But Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy's wish for a no fly-zone was unlikely to happen because the West knew that would bring about full-scale war.
"Getting more weapons will be on the agenda," Cannane said adding NATO probably hadn't realised Ukrainian forces would hold up this long.
He also said along with more sanctions, NATO allies were likely to discuss putting more troops in the east. Alternative energy supplies to get Russia off oil and gas and additional humanitarian assistance would also be on the agenda.
"These meetings will probably discuss what happens if things escalate ... it's in the minds of all these people at NATO," Cannane said.
He also pointed out that Putin's aggression in Ukraine had given NATO a more muscular edge and had only strengthened the alliance.
"Putin has emboldened NATO and united the West in a way that hasn't happened in years," he said.
By Nicholas McElroy
UK Ministry of Defence Ukraine intelligence update
The department has released a brief update on the situation in Ukraine:
- Russian forces have almost certainly suffered thousands of casualties during their invasion of Ukraine.
- Russia is likely now looking to mobilise its reservist and conscript manpower, as well as private military companies and foreign mercenaries, to replace these considerable losses.
- It is unclear how these groups will integrate into the Russian ground forces in Ukraine and the impact this will have on combat effectiveness.
By Nicholas McElroy
Is there any chance of a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine?
Fighting in Ukraine is reaching something of a stalemate.
The Ukrainian military is providing a fierce resistance and Russian forces are so far unable to take key cities.
So is there any chance of a diplomatic solution? Michael Vincent reports.
By Nicholas McElroy
Former Canadian forces sniper 'Wali' debunks Russian disinformation campaign that claims he died in Ukraine
Rumours spread on Russia social media that a former Canadian sniper had died in battle in Ukraine have been debunked by the man himself, proving he is very much alive.
Misinformation about the former Canadian Armed Forces member — who is known by the name 'Wali' to protect the identity of his family — has been circulating online for weeks.
The rumours include claims that Wali was the deadliest sniper in the world and held the record for the longest-distance kill shot.
And the most recent rumour, posted on Russia social media site VKontakte, claimed Wali had been killed by Russia forces shortly after arriving in Mariupol, which has been under heavy bombardment by Russian invaders for weeks.
"Well, I'm alive," he laughs during an interview with CBC News.
"I was pretty much the last person to learn about my death."
By Nicholas McElroy
By Nicholas McElroy
Italy setting up plans to accept Russian scientists who want to leave
Italian Premier Mario Draghi says his country is setting up procedures to accept Russian scientists who want to leave their homeland.
Some 60,000 people fleeing war in Ukraine have arrived in Italy over the last weeks.
The Italian government has allocated funds to help with housing and integration programs for those who have fled due to the war, but Mr Draghi stressed that the special assistance doesn't only apply to Ukrainian citizens.
"There are refugees who are scientists or university professors, who could come to Italy and could benefit by scholarships, by funds and financing for research," Mr Draghi said.
"Among these are Russian scientists who are asking to get out.
"We must accept them, and I asked the (Interior) Minister to let them know that they are welcome and to even set up a telephone number they can call so the procedures to welcome these scientists can be set in motion,'' the premier said.
Mr Draghi didn't provide any number of how many such Russians might pursue the possibility.
The Associated Press
By Nicholas McElroy
'Capable of physically destroying any aggressor': Russian official on nuclear deterrence
A senior Russian official says the country's nuclear arsenal should help deter the West from intervening in the war in Ukraine.
Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the state corporation Roscosmos, noted in televised remarks on Wednesday that the Russian nuclear stockpiles included tactical nuclear weapons, along with the nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Mr Rogozin pointed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning to other countries not to meddle with the Russian action in Ukraine.
"The Russian Federation is capable of physically destroying any aggressor or any aggressor group within minutes at any distance," Mr Rogozin said.
Mr Putin has warned the West that an attempt to introduce a no-fly zone over Ukraine would draw it into a conflict with Russia.
Mr Rogozin did not elaborate on what specific action by the West would be seen as meddling in the conflict.
Mr Rogozin's statement comes amid Western fears that Russia could use battlefield nuclear weapons against Ukraine amid the stalled Russian offensive.
US officials have long warned that Russia's military doctrine envisages an "escalate to deescalate" option of using battlefield nuclear weapons to force the enemy to back down in a situation when Russian forces face an imminent defeat in a conventional conflict.
Moscow has denied having such designs.
The Associated Press
By Nicholas McElroy
The sun rises over Kyiv
It's 6:40am local time.
By Nicholas McElroy
'It's not possible to sleep': Witness recounts experiences of war in Ukraine
In Bucha, just outside of Kyiv, Alena Kuzmina was working from home when the war broke out.
During a brief pause in fighting she relocated to the west of Ukraine where she hopes she'll be safe.
Alena spoke to The Drum about some of the terrible things she's witnessed over the past few weeks.
By Nicholas McElroy
Civilian rush to purchase and train with guns continues in Ukraine
A rush to purchase guns and train with them continued in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Among the people lined up at a gun range was Ihor Oprysk, who said he hadn't fired a gun since serving in the Soviet army.
"I bought a gun to see how it feels," Mr Oprysk said.
"To (know how to) shoot nowadays is very important. You need to know about everything."
Gun shop owner Zakhar Sluzhalyy said he had 700 kinds of weapons for sale before the Russian invasion and was now down to 40.
Supply chain problems have made it difficult to restock the shop with guns.
"The gun (sales) boom started three or four weeks before the war began," Sluzhalyy said.
All guns are best-sellers now, he said as a $800 Kalashnikov rifle adapted for civilian use sat on a counter in front of him.
The war has prompted officials to streamline the monthlong permitting process for gun purchases to two days, he said.
The Associated Press
By Nicholas McElroy
Athletes who attended Vladimir Putin's rally face backlash
Russian Olympic athletes who participated in a rally supporting President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine are facing a backlash, with one losing a sponsorship deal and facing a disciplinary investigation.
Medalists from cross-country skiing, gymnastics, figure skating and swimming gathered on stage at the Luzhniki Stadium as part of the concert and entertainment program around Putin's speech.
Olympic champion swimmer Evgeny Rylov is under investigation from the sport's governing body, known as FINA, for attending the event.
Rylov also lost his endorsement deal with swimwear manufacturer Speedo because of his involvement in the pro-Putin rally.
Most of the athletes, including Rylov, were pictured wearing jackets with a "Z" on the chest at the rally. The letter isn't part of the Russian alphabet but has become a symbol of support for Russian troops after it was used as a marker on Russian armored vehicles operating in Ukraine.
Other Olympic medalists athletes in attendance included figure skaters Victoria Sinitsina, Nikita Katsalapov, Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov; cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov; and rhythmic gymnastic twin sisters Dina and Arina Averina.
The Associated Press
